Let Garrett Crochet (LHP, White Sox) serve as an example of how paying attention to the MLB Draft and its prospective college/high school prospects can pay off short-term as well as long-term in a dynasty league. Crochet went from being drafted 11th in June of 2020 to blowing hitters away at the big-league level by September! Now, this is super rare – a by-product of an odd year – and is much more commonplace in the NFL or NBA. But 2020 showed us all things are possible, no matter whether we want them or not. What helped catapult Crochet was 62.5% of his fastballs hitting triple-digits (100+ mph). Serious cheddar! To give you insight into how serious I’m talking, only three other pitchers have such a rate since pitch tracking was instituted – Aroldis Chapman, Jordan Hicks and Mauricio Cabrera.
Now, not all prospects pan out so quickly as Crochet. Some may even take years to come to fruition. But you’re in a dynasty league, so where you goin’? One of my main objectives is snipping off young talent before they become a thing. Whether this looks like grabbing these young gentlemen in a rookie draft or adding them via the waiver wire at the tail end of a lost season, the result is gaining young talent for pennies on the dollar – kind of like GameStop. Damn you, Robinhood! Anyway, I digress. My main point here is taking a leap of faith now can pay off handsomely later when your team is LOADED with 22 to 28-year-olds who rake/dish. Allow me to give you an example of long-term planning for dynasty leagues from my personal vault.
Nolan Arenado was a hot-shot stud prospect everyone coveted from the years 2010-2014, depending on your league. However, by the grace of God, I was able to catch wind of him when this article surfaced (original was more in-depth). This blurb piqued my interest, obviously: “Arenado led the Division II champions in nearly every offensive category, including hitting (.456), RBI (32) and runs scored (33). Struck out only six times in 120 plate appearances.” Fresh out of El Toro High School in Lake Forest and playing shortstop at the time, the then 18-year-old went on to bat .517 – .615 on-base percentage (OBP) – and hit five home runs (HR), 14 doubles and a triple his senior year. Side note – Arenado played with other El Toro alum and fellow future major leaguers Austin Romine and Matt Chapman.
Arenado was slated to attend Arizona State University (ASU) on a college baseball scholarship, but the Colorado Rockies saw what I did and selected him in the second round with the 59th overall selection of the 2009 MLB Draft. As soon as he became available in the player pool, I snipped him. The rest, as they say, his history. Rowdy Tellez is another example of this plan, only in midstream. ::fingers crossed::
In this portion of the Fantasy Guru MLB Draft Guide, we will highlight and scout the top college and high school prospects who are likely candidates to be selected in the 2021 MLB Draft and project outward. A piece for dynasty leagues, we list the top prospective prospects according to MLB Pipeline and where they rank on the 20-to-80 scouting scale. This is useful for those looking to build depth for their dynasty teams with youngsters, who we will probably see in like 2024! Whether it is catching lightning in a bottle or part of a long-term plan, keep an eye on or grab these guys for dynasty.
If you’re looking to research players who are further up the food chain and looking to make more of an immediate impact, we already have you covered!
The Top-40 Rookies for 2021
2021 MLB Rookie Scouting Report: Hitters
2021 MLB Rookie Scouting Report: Pitchers
Top MLB Draft Prospects for Your Dynasty League
An abbreviated season last spring offered less opportunity for scouts to look at players, especially on the college level. Furthermore, the inability to travel (or limited travel) presented difficulties in watching whatever fall action was able to take place. Prep players were at least able to participate in an almost-regular summer showcase circuit schedule. So, prospect reports took a hit but only minimally as major league teams prepare for the draft in July. Luckily, both the scouts and I have film to study – either from seasons past or from remote locations.
Below, you will find MLB Pipeline’s top-10 prospects along with their profile and how they project for the pros. I’ve also thrown in 10 players who stand out in my eyes.
Kumar Rocker – RHP, Vanderbilt
Scouts may have the 21-year-old hurler at the one spot due to their familiarity, both at Vanderbilt as well as the College World Series (CWS). This bears more weight this year, as referenced above. Drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the 38th round of the 2018 MLB Draft, Rocker opted to attend Vanderbilt to build his stock and his repertoire. Good choice! His freshman year was a bit “rocky” (sorry, I had to do it), but he spectacularly capped off the season. Rocker tossed a 19 K no-hitter against Duke in the NCAA Super Regionals and earned two victories on his way to Most Outstanding Player honors at the CWS.
Rocker has a superior athletic lineage in his corner, as the son of former NFL defensive lineman Tracy Rocker. Standing 6’5” and weighing 250 lbs, this young man brings a physical presence to the mound. He overpowers hitters with a mix of fastballs and sliders. His average fastball velo lies between 93-96 mph, but according to his prospect report, Rocker can already dial it up to 99. I noticed strong sinking action along with the ability to bore in on the hands of hitters. When hitters were able to connect, it was when his pitches laid flat in the zone. His outpitch is the slider, however, which grades as plus-plus in the 84-86 mph range. That 10-11 mph difference is huge, along with the depth it provides. The third pitch is his changeup, which seems too stiff. Didn’t see him throw it much because he wasn’t fooling the opposition.
Pittsburgh has the No. 1 overall pick, and if they opt to take the top-rated and most famous prospect in the draft, Rocker will have far better home digs in which to get batters out (PNC Park Factors: R – 1.07, HR – 0.88, H – 1.07, 3B – 0.29, BB – 1.08). He projects as a frontline starter but isn’t a finished product with slightly above-average command. According to scouting reports, they “would like to see him dominate more consistently this spring.”
Jordan Lawlar – SS, Jesuit Prep (Texas)
What a talented young man this is as well as a mature hitter. Lawler is a five-tool shortstop from the Dallas area, which immediately brings Bobby Witt Jr. to the mind. As the consensus top high school prospect in the draft, the Buccos could opt to look in his direction.
Lawler uses a quick, compact swing from the right side of the batter’s box. He works the gaps well and has a penchant for inside-outing balls to right field. I like the limited movement and short stride he takes as he prepares to swing (see video below). Coupled with quiet hands and lack of head movement, he keeps his eyes on the baseball and swings through with authority. With his bat speed and the projectable strength in his 6’2” frame, above-average power will develop once he adds strength and focuses on pulling pitches in the right spot. Lawler also brings plus speed to the table (60 on the Scouting Scale – see Dynasty League Tables), which could develop quite well on the professional level (15 stolen bases in 2+ seasons at Jesuit Prep).
Now, Lawler is a Vanderbilt recruit and may opt to attend college if the draft doesn’t quite go his way. So, this is something to be wary of and may decide between grabbing him and just watching him. At only 18 years of age, he’s a super-duper long term plan (as are most of the high schoolers in this article). It all comes down to the size of your MiLB rosters or depth of bench. For me, I simply click the watch button. However, Lawler is a no-doubt shortstop with plenty of range, quick hands and a strong arm.
Matt McLain – SS, UCLA
McLain may be your more immediate target at SS for your dynasty league. The 21-year-old UCLA product belted three home runs with 19 RBI in only 13 games before the pandemic. His slash line of .397/.422/.621/1.043 and 36 total bases in 64 plate appearances were a far cry from his 2019 freshman numbers (61 G, 249 PA, 4 HR, 30 RBI, .203/.276/.355/.631, 77 TB). McLain developed well in the Cape Cod League during the summer between – if you’ve never traveled to Massachusetts to watch a game out on the cape, do it… do it! It was there where he went from a slightly undersized infielder from the SoCal high school ranks to a collegiate contender.
Wareham Gatemen’s hitting coach, Rob Selna, and strength & conditioning coach, Coy Flynn, worked with McLain, adding more strength to his 5’10” frame. Can we just take a second and recognize the coolness of this team’s name? Ok, back to the analysis. He’s always had very good bat-to-ball skills with surprising power, but there’s even more pop in his right-handed swing now. His increased physicality has helped him in all facets of the game. He’s still a plus runner with a stronger arm than he had in high school and better overall athleticism.
In terms of position eligibility down the road, that may be more of the question mark. McLain has played all over the diamond for UCLA and on the Cape. However, by focusing on his footwork and hands and putting in the work, scouts think he has a good chance to stick at SS.
Adrian Del Castillo – C, Miami
A catcher in the top 4? The hell, you say! Oh, it’s true. It’s damn true. Actually, it’s somewhat true. While Del Castilo resides behind the plate for the Hurricanes, there are reservations about whether he can stick behind the plate long-term. He’s worked hard to improve his arm strength and accuracy yet still ranks as a 50 in that department. The main issue is a catcher needs to be “quiet” while receiving the baseball, allowing the ball to exit the back of the strike zone for late movement. Del Castilo tends to snap at balls too frequently, making framing challenges. These skills can be improved in the minor leagues, but for the most part, they tend to be more innate. Any team selecting him in the first round will do so more for his smooth left-handed stroke.
As a freshman at The U, Del Castillo quickly showed his bat would play when he posted a .995 OPS and elevated the mark to 1.025 over his first 16 games in 2020. His advanced approach at the plate allows him to barrel up the baseball, and his plate discipline led to more walks than strikeouts over his first two years (43:32). The 21-year-old has shown some nice pop as well, with 14 HR in 349 PA. Like McLain above, Del Castillo played for Wareham, and despite the move to wooden bat, he was able to maintain his power proclivity with five long balls in 37 games.
Jaden Hill – RHP, LSU
Hill isn’t as famous as Vanderbilt righties Rocker and Jack Leiter, but he might have a higher ceiling than either. He has only pitched 21 ⅔ innings in his first two college seasons because of elbow issues in ‘19 and the shortened 2020 season, so buyer beware. As a result, he pitched in relief last season and began to touch the upper 90s with his heater. In fall practice, he built up arm strength and stretched out as a starter, regularly dealing at 95-97 mph and topping out at 99. While the heat is nice for the radar gun, what stands out about Hill is his changeup. The pitch falls right off the table and resides in the mid-80s. Furthermore, he junked the slurve and began throwing a good old fashioned slider, which he has shown, when mastered, can be dead nasty in the mid-to-upper 80s.
To a degree, Hill is emblematic of Luis Castillo when considering the balance between blazing speed and a tricky change of pace. Both pitchers stand tall on the mound, yet Hill’s 6’4”, 233-pound frame eclipses Castillo’s 6’2”, 200. To give you an idea, Hill was a former three-star quarterback recruit and demonstrates a strong physical presence. The command needs to come around a touch, but he can throw strikes when on his game. Now, the question is, can he maintain pitch effectiveness throughout a full season worth of starts? If so, the ceiling could be even higher.
Jack Leiter – RHP, Vanderbilt
The last time two pitchers from the same college staff went in the top 10 was in 2011 when Gerrit Cole and Trevor Bauer were at UCLA. Is Vandy a pitching factory? Robin to Rocker’s Batman and son of two-time All-Star and World Series champion Al Leiter, Jack made a spectacular college debut with 12 strikeouts in five no-hit innings against South Alabama last February. Much like his old man, he has a nasty 12-to-6 curveball that rates as a 60 on the 20-80 grading scale and clocks in the upper 70s. The command of the pitch is strong enough to toy with hitters, getting them to chase out of the zone in one at-bat only to feel their knees buckle when Leiter pounds the strike zone in another.
In an interview, Leiter said he has a “real good feel for spin and has been working on his slider.” Thrown in the low-80s, some scouts think the pitch could have even more upside than his curveball. Pitching backward in a sense, he works in a cutter that oscillates between 90-95 mph. Leiter has occasionally topped out at 97, but it will be interesting to see if he can maintain that velo deep into starts or an overall season. He has been compared to former Vanderbilt star Sonny Gray only he might be further along than Gray was at his age (20). Do you think playing catch with papa had something to do with this???
Marcelo Mayer – SS, Eastlake (California)
Mayer illustrated great range as a shortstop throughout the summer showcase circuit, both up the middle and to the hole. He and Lawler are the two top prep position players in the country. With above-average tools across the five scouting categories, what sets Mayer apart is an advanced approach and knowledge of the strike zone along with elite bat-to-ball skills. He is a tall shortstop at 6’3” and draws comparisons to Corey Seager. Will he develop the raw power of Seager? Only time will tell, but scouts seem to think so. Over the course of 17 games played at the varsity level, the left-handed batter compiled a slash line of .306/.424/.591/1.016 and a 6:4 K:BB ratio.
Getting back to the defense of a tick, Mayer plays the position free and easy with soft hands and excellent footwork. As a result, he is believed to be able to stick at short for the long haul. He also possesses a cannon of an arm, currently graded as 60, although I see that rising as he progresses. Defensively, think Brandon Crawford.
On the basepaths, Mayer may not have elite speed but still grades above-average. He swiped 10 bags in the same 17 varsity games played. He’s currently committed to Southern Cal, but if Mayer is selected in the first round as he is projected to be, people close to the 18-year-old believe he will opt to sign rather than attending college. Eastlake has produced some fine baseball players over the years (Chris Coghlan, Casey Schmitt, L.J. Jones, Keoni Cavaco), and Mayer is next in line.
Jud Fabian – OF, Florida
Fabian has the type of raw power you drool over as a scout or baseball executive looking to draft. The Trinity Catholic product belted seven home runs in his freshman year at Florida in 2019, and this was him “scuffling” at the next level. However, what stood out were the six homers he laced in 137 PA for the Bourne Braves of the Cape Cod League, and he hit a couple more in the Florida Collegiate league, all with a wooden bat. Fabian has been a bit of a free swinger and tends to chase some bad pitches, but he started having better at-bats more consistently last year and over the summer with bat speed that reminded some of Mookie Betts. That’s good company.
Fabian isn’t a burner but offers good complimentary speed to go with the bat (Run – 55). He plays a fine center field due to getting good reads off the bat and running good routes. With nine stolen bases in 73 NCAA games (2020 included), he profiles as a 20/10 type of player. Speaking of 2020, and getting back to his money-maker, the power, he hit five home runs in 81 plate appearances before the season was suspended (.603 SLG, 1.010 OPS). He utilizes a stiff front leg to stay back on the baseball along with standing extremely deep in the box. I’m more of a proponent of standing higher in the box to make contact out in front of the plate, but Fabian keeps his back elbow high, allowing for a quick swing with proper utilization of launch angle.
Fabian has solid tools across the board and stands out as an up-the-middle impact type of player.
Alex Binelas – 3B, Louisville
At 20 years old, this 6’3”, 210 lb third baseman bats left and throws right. Binelas is very slick in the field, gets down extremely well on the ball, and has a strong arm (55). While this will keep the young man relative, it is not why we focus on him for fantasy baseball. Luckily, his bat plays, offering both strength and speed, which leads to plus power and contact skills. In 2019, Binelas had a whopping 14 HR and 33 XBH in 243 PA, leading to a strong .612 SLG in his freshman year. With 126 TB and a .994 OPS, it’s easy to see why Binelas is one of my favorite players in this draft. He sprays the baseball across the entire field and doesn’t go fishing for pitches off the strike zone too often (19.7% K-rate). He has become one of college baseball’s more potent bats.
The Badger State product is in good company over the past few years, as Wisconsin has produced such talent as Jarred Kelenic, Gavin Lux and Daulton Varsho. Unfortunately, we have even more limited looks at Binelas from 2020. He only played in two games before breaking the hamate bone in his right hand. However, from what I’ve seen and read, he consistently makes contact and takes his fair share of walks (11.1% BB-rate). All of the above indicates a potential 30-homer bat from the Louisville product. He should be able to produce in other categories as well since he doesn’t sell out for the home run.
Ty Madden – RHP, Texas
Madden was already a fine prospect from Cypress Ranch High School, a program loaded with pitching talent. He registered 95 mph on the gun in high school with his fastball, and his best pitch was the slider. His stuff and command have continually improved in college, and he impressed scouts when they got limited looks during summer workouts (Longhorns closed their fall practice to scouts). The heater has developed an excellent sink and bores in on right-handed hitters, averaging between 93-96 mph, and he reached 99 mph during the fall. Madden’s best pitch at Cypress Ranch was his slider, which has increased velocity in the mid-80s with late bite. Add in a deceptive low-80s changeup, and he offers a great three-pitch mix to keep batters off-balance. He does mix in an upper-70s curveball with depth, but the pitch has been less consistent than his slider, according to scouts.
Madden has developed a sound delivery in college with the ability to repeat his motion time and time again. The mechanics lead me to believe good arm health is in his future. You can hang your clothes on the line he creates – shoulder to elbow – as he rears back to throw. He also pitches more from over the top than three-quarters, and his plant leg lands fairly straight. Beginning his tenure at Texas as a lanky 6’3”, 180 lb freshman, he added 35 lbs, and the extra strength has helped him on the mound. He walked just four batters in four starts last spring, and scouts love the way he attacks hitters. He projects as a top-of-the-rotation starter as long as he continues his progression and pitching acumen. Just look at this delivery, wowzers!
Andrew Painter – RHP, Calvary Christian (Florida)
Painter is already topping the radar gun at 96 mph, and the best may yet to come for a special pitcher! He has the rare combination of raw stuff and an understanding of the art of pitching. He proved his abilities in several showcase events as the best high school pitcher in the 2021 Draft class. Painter throws four pitches for strikes with an advanced feel for his gameplan on the mound. Already 6’6” 210 lbs, his fastball doesn’t necessarily blow you away (avg. 94 mph, max 96). However, he throws both a two- and four-seamer to change the batter’s eye and then elevates the four-seamer to get swings and misses up in the zone. Throw in a 12-to-6 curve in the upper 70s and a mid-80s slider with a developing changeup, and Painter has a legit arsenal for the pros.
Despite his size, Painter is very athletic on the mound and effectively repeats his delivery. By all indications, there’s a chance he’ll have plus control and command in the future. Remember, this kid is just 17 years old and is still growing! With projection in his frame as he matures, he could continue to grow stronger and throw even harder. Painter is committed to Florida, so he is a wait-and-see for now, even if he is the first high school pitcher off the board in July. But what this kid becomes is exciting.
Brady House – 3B/RHP, Winder-Barrow (Georgia)
This household name in Georgia takes me back to when I was 17-years-old myself, playing video games all night and drinking “root” beer. I played with a custom character named Bobby House, only it was pronounced Who-SAY, and he was a 6’4’’ stay-at-home defenceman in NHL 96. This House is quite different, although equally as talented. House looks the part of a power hitter with excellent pop to all fields. However, there are questions. The swing has become long and slow as he reportedly took some ugly swings and pulled off the ball too much in this past summer’s showcase. The result was a lot of swings and misses at pitches he previously crushed. Personally, chalk it up to a young player who came too aggressive to the plate after not seeing live pitching for a while due to the pandemic.
In past years on the showcase circuit, House showed the ability to pound good velocity and handle quality breaking balls. He does have more to prove, but I’m a believer. Already only one inch shorter than my custom character and 210 lbs, the power will only increase as he fully grows into his body. Also, House gets the barrel of the bat on the baseball extremely well from what I saw. If he can correct last summer’s misgivings, I see no reason why this can’t continue. He posted a .509/.600/.811/1.411 slash line in two varsity seasons at Winder-Barrow High School (48 games played). He also performed better at the World Wood Bat Association World Championship in the fall.
House has played shortstop in high school, but scouts project him to move to third in pro ball, whether that be this year or in a few years if he attends Tennessee after graduation. He can also pump some fastballs up to 96 mph off the mound and has seen some work there, but his path to the majors is as a position player, in my opinion. Scouts compare him to a more athletic version of Joey Gallo or 2018 Cardinals first-rounder Nolan Gorman. Remember his name in two-three years as hopefully, the recruitment efforts of Tennessee pay off, and he further develops as a hitter.
Colton Cowser – OF, Sam Houston State
One of the best bats in the college class, according to scouts, Cowser has a sweet stroke from the left side and also gets the barrel of the bat on the baseball extremely well. He was a late bloomer in high school (teammates with fellow projected 2021 first-rounder Ty Madden), which necessitated him to become part of Sam Houston State’s program. Now, he has an opportunity to be the highest pick in school history (Glenn Wilson, No. 18 overall, 1980)!
Cowser’s quick hands earned him MVP honors in 2019 for the U.S. collegiate national team when he batted .438 in six games against Cuba. His approach is controlled, and he peppers line drives all over the field with a level swing. The lack of loft leads some to question his power potential, but not I. Hit the ball hard, regularly square up the baseball, and the homers will come. He’s still projected to hit 20+ homers per season at the professional level.
Joe Mack – C, Williamsville East (New York)
Mack has a cannon of an arm from behind the plate and is fairly accurate. Many scouts come out to see his defensive prowess, but he can be an impact player on both sides of the ball (please excuse the football analogy… writing this on Super Bowl Sunday morning).
A righty catcher who swings left-handed, he projects to be an above-average hitter with an impressive two-strike approach. Mack has gap-to-gap power and doubles hitter written all over him. His exit velo at the summer showcase was 92 mph (88th percentile), while his max barrel speed and impact momentum were in the mid-80s. What stood out to me was the max bat acceleration during his swing (95th). More acceleration means that you can reach your max barrel speed quicker. Higher acceleration lets you wait a little longer before you decide to swing, and in some cases, means that you can maintain higher bat speed for more of the swing. All of these metrics indicate at least average power in the future.
The 18-year-old does have a commitment in place to Clemson, but with his defensive skills and plus bat, he’s a complete package who an MLB team could draft and sign away from the Tigers.
Harry Ford – C, North Cobb (Georgia)
Oh look, another catcher. Pov is one biased S.O.B. Truth be told, I couldn’t decide on which catcher to write-up between Mack and Ford, so I decided to briefly do both. Harry is an outstanding 17-year-old catcher with some pop! The state of Georgia has produced four first-round catchers in the last seven drafts – Max Pentecost, Tyler Stephenson, Anthony Seigler, Joey Bart – and Ford has better all-around tools than any of them, according to scouts. However, he has been most likened to Hall of Famer Craig Biggio, which is high praise. Like Biggio, Ford can play catcher, second base or center field. This may heighten his chances at a first-round selection.
Ford regularly makes solid contact thanks to great bat speed and can handle quality pitching. He is strong for his 5’10”, 200 lb frame and has good leverage in his right-handed swing. I project him for average or better power. He also has wheels with his 60 run tool, clocking a 6.42-second time in the 60-yard dash at the East Coast Pro showcase.
Jackson Jobe – RHP/SS, Heritage Hall (Oklahoma)
The young man possesses a filthy slider that often leaves batters walking out of the batter box back to the dugout shaking their heads and looking back at Jobe thinking, “what was that you threw me!” The pitch sits in the low 80s with elite spin rates above 3,000 rpm (revolutions per minute), has depth, and Jobe seems to be able to spot it wherever he chooses. His average velocity sits currently at 90-94 mph and maxes out at 96 with his four-seamer. Jobe incorporates high spin rates and riding action with his fastballs, as well. He mixes in a low-80s changeup with tumbling action and gives a hitter another look with an upper-70s curveball.
To top it all off, his upside as a position player is nearly as good! He has a strong arm at short and offers bat speed and power potential. However, he projects as an average hitter with similar speed, so most teams will look at his pitching above all else. He’s a long way off and is committed to Mississippi, where if he attends, Jobe would be draft-eligible as a sophomore in 2023.
Malakhi Knight – OF, Marysville-Getchell (Washington)
Knight is a fine defensive young outfielder who is super-athletic. A multi-star athlete in baseball and basketball, he was voted high school player of the year for 2019-2020. That athleticism carries over to the baseball field with the many highlight-reel catches he has made in right field. The split focus could indicate a slower learning curve, but the bat speed and raw power from the right side of the plate are evident. Knight showed off the pop when he launched a home run in the Area Code Games with an exit velocity over 100 mph. The swing can be long at times, causing flailing at the plate, but a focus on baseball only could help him iron that out, and there’s more strength to come in his 6’3” frame.
Alex Mooney – SS, St. Mary’s Prep (Michigan)
At only 18, Mooney has an opportunity to be the first Michigan high-school shortstop taken in the top three rounds since… you guessed it, Derek Jeter. Mooney’s commitment to Duke does leave his ability to be signed as a question mark. But there is zero doubt he has the upside to be average or better across the board. The St. Mary’s Prep product has a beautiful level swing, and his bat has extra-base prowess. Swinging from the right side, it is quick and compact, and he makes a lot of contact with a mature approach beyond his years.
Mooney has enough bat speed and strength in his hands to develop into a 15-20 homer guy once he develops physically and turns on more pitches (currently 6’1” 180). He has already demonstrated strong gap power and could be a doubles machine, as well. He’s aggressive on the basepath, ranking 55 in the run element. Defensively, he has strong instincts and that internal clock you just can’t teach. The range is roughly average, but even if he doesn’t stick at shortstop, he’s quick enough to play second base. His arm skill off 55 indicates an ability to turn double plays if he indeed does shift to the keystone. Mooney also has enough arm to profile at third base if his power develops as hoped.
Tommy Dilandri – OF, Palo Verde (Nevada)
Dilandri showed off his outstanding tools at several showcase events last summer, which he possesses all five. With excellent raw power, he has a chance to be the Vegas prep bat to go as high as Joey Gallo did in 2012 (1st round – 39). The hit tool is lower than you would hope at 45 because of swing-and-miss issues, but he showed more consistency with the bat late on the showcase circuit, performing well at the Baseball Factory All-Star Classic and then at the World Wood Bat Association Championships in the fall.
Committed to Texas Christian, Dilandri has put up some plus run times (6.61 60-yard dash, 1.53 10-yard split – 96.5+ percentile). He utilizes his speed to close ground in center field and make athletic catches. That athleticism does cover up some poor angles, and some scouts think he might end up in right field. His arm ranking of 60 may be influencing this opinion due to the nature of desiring a cannon in right (touches 93 mph off the mound).
Anthony Solometo – LHP, Bishop Eustace (New Jersey)
Recently, I spoke with Nick Del Gozzo, BE Assistant Coach, and he had this to say about Solometo.
“Definitely a pro pen guy, I believe. Funky as shit (delivery) and destroys lefties with his slide piece, a wipeout slider. His velo was up to 95 mph this summer, so that was an unexpected surprise and possible game-changer for him going forward. The sky’s the limit really: tough kid, wheelbarrow nuts, winner, competitor who wants the ball every game – in every big spot. So, his mindset is right to be a big leaguer, and (regarding) his demeanor, nothing bothers him. I just think, maybe, big-league righties might see the ball coming out of his hand better, and that could lead to some struggles as a starter. But I see no reason why he can’t get big-league hitters out daily with his make up and stuff and no reason he can’t be a 15-year pro as a starter, reliever, spot starter or main bullpen piece.”
For me, this resume sounds ideal for the avant-garde of successful relievers we are seeing these days. Think Andrew Miller, Seth Lugo, Devin Williams or Aaron Bummer. What was that, you said? Yeah, I have some room on my dynasty team’s bench too for an SP/RP like that!
Player Tables: 20-to-80 Scouting Scale
POSITION PLAYERS
*Italic numbers indicate top of the draft class
HIT | POWER | RUN | ARM | FIELD | OVERALL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Jordan Lawlar | 60 | 55 | 60 | 60 | 55 | 60 |
Matt McLain | 60 | 50 | 60 | 60 | 50 | 55 |
Adrian Del Castillo | 60 | 55 | 30 | 50 | 45 | 55 |
Marcelo Mayer | 60 | 55 | 50 | 60 | 55 | 55 |
Jud Fabian | 50 | 60 | 55 | 50 | 50 | 55 |
Alex Binelas | 50 | 55 | 45 | 55 | 45 | 55 |
Brady House | 45 | 60 | 45 | 60 | 55 | 55 |
Colton Cowser | 60 | 50 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 55 |
Joe Mack | 55 | 50 | 40 | 60 | 50 | 50 |
Harry Ford | 50 | 50 | 60 | 55 | 55 | 50 |
Izaac Pacheco (3B/FHS) | 45 | 60 | 45 | 55 | 55 | 50 |
Benny Montgomery (OF/RLHS) | 45 | 55 | 70 | 60 | 60 | 50 |
Sal Frelick (OF/BC) | 60 | 45 | 60 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Henry Davis (C/LOU) | 50 | 50 | 40 | 70 | 45 | 50 |
Lonnie White (OF/MP) | 45 | 50 | 70 | 50 | 60 | 50 |
Malakhi Knight | 45 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 50 | 50 |
Josh Baez (OF/DSHS) | 45 | 60 | 50 | 70 | 50 | 50 |
Max Ferguson (2B/TENN) | 55 | 40 | 60 | 50 | 60 | 50 |
Christian Franklin (OF/ARK) | 45 | 55 | 60 | 60 | 60 | 50 |
Alex Mooney | 55 | 45 | 55 | 55 | 50 | 50 |
Noah Cardenas (C/UCLA) | 50 | 40 | 40 | 60 | 60 | 50 |
Daylen Lile (OF/THS) | 60 | 50 | 50 | 40 | 50 | 50 |
Tommy Dilandri | 45 | 55 | 55 | 60 | 50 | 50 |
Will Taylor (OF/DFHS) | 50 | 40 | 70 | 50 | 55 | 50 |
Michael Robertson (OF/VHS) | 50 | 40 | 70 | 50 | 55 | 45 |
PITCHERS
*Italic numbers indicate top of the draft class
FAST | CURVE | SLIDER | CHANGE | CONTROL | OVERALL | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kumar Rocker | 65 | — | 65 | 50 | 50 | 60 |
Jaden Hill | 65 | — | 55 | 60 | 50 | 55 |
Jack Leiter | 55 | 60 | 55 | 55 | 50 | 55 |
Ty Madden | 60 | 50 | 60 | 55 | 55 | 55 |
Andrew Painter | 60 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 55 | 55 |
Jordan Wicks (LH/KST) | 55 | 45 | 50 | 65 | 55 | 55 |
Anthony Solometo | 55 | — | 55 | 50 | 55 | 55 |
Chase Petty (RH/MRHS) | 70 | — | 55 | 50 | 50 | 50 |
Jackson Jobe | 55 | 55 | 65 | 55 | 50 | 50 |
Gunnar Hoglund (RH/MISS) | 55 | 50 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 50 |
Josh Hartle (LH/RHS) | 55 | — | 50 | 55 | 55 | 50 |
Christian MacLeod (LH/MISSST) | 50 | 60 | — | 50 | 55 | 50 |
Pete Hansen (LH/TX) | 50 | 50 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 50 |
Mason Black (RH/LU) | 70 | — | 50 | 45 | 45 | 50 |
Michael Morales (RH/EPHS) | 55 | 55 | — | 50 | 55 | 50 |
Gage Jump (LH/JCHS) | 50 | 55 | 55 | 50 | 55 | 50 |
Irving Carter (RH/CCHS) | 55 | — | 55 | 45 | 50 | 45 |
Nick Nastrini (RH/UCLA) | 55 | 50 | 50 | 55 | 55 | 45 |
Seth Lonsway (LH/OSU) | 55 | 65 | 55 | 50 | 40 | 45 |
For the complete scouting list of the Top 100 Draft prospects for 2021, click the excel link.